What
is the 8d Problem Solving Process? Anything that involves “eight
disciplines” must be complicated and difficult to learn, right?
Here to help you, is the 8d problem solving process explained in
everyday language.

The
8d problem solving is about teams working together to resolve problems,
using a structured 8 step process to help focus on facts not opinion.
So far, so good! Let’s get into some more detail - the eight
disciplines explained….

Discipline
1 – Build The Team

Assemble
a small team of people with the right mix of skills, experience
and authority to resolve the problem and implement solutions. Ensure
these people have the time and inclination to work towards the common
goal. Get your people “on board” by using team building
tools such as ice-breakers
and team
activities.

Discipline
2 – Describe the Problem

How
can you fix it if you don’t know what’s broken? The
more clearly you describe the problem, the more likely you are to
resolve it. Be specific and quantify the problem where possible.
Clarify what, when, where and how much e.g. what is the impact to
customers? Consider using checklists from professional 8d problem
solving suppliers to stimulate and open up your thinking.

Discipline
3 – Implement a Temporary Fix

What
“sticking plaster” can you use until you figure out
what’s really causing the problem? Implement a temporary fix
and monitor and measure the impact to ensure it’s not making
things worse. Remember to keep going, as a sticking plaster will
never cure a broken leg!

Discipline
4 – Eliminate Root Cause

There
will be many suspects causing the problem, but usually only one
culprit. The key is figuring out which one. This is where it can
get a bit numerically challenging, as statistical tools are often
used to get a deep understanding of what is going on in a process.

Discipline
5 – Verify Corrective Action

You
know what’s causing the problem – how are you going
to fix it? Test to make sure that your planned fixes have no undesirable
side effects. If so, are there complementary fixes that eliminate
side effects? If your solution just isn’t feasible, you can
still change your mind before you move to the next “go live”
stage.

Discipline
6 – Implement Permanent Fix

Go
for it! Implement your permanent and complementary fixes and monitor
to make sure it’s working. Usually you will get it right,
but if not, go back a few steps and try again – the culprit
is there to be caught!

Discipline
7 – Stop It Happening Again

If
you’ve gone to all this trouble, you don’t want the
problem to sneak up on you again! Prevent recurrence of the problem
by updating everything related to the process e.g. specifications,
training manuals, or “mistake proofing” the process.

Discipline
8 – Celebrate Success

Teamwork
got you this far, so put on your collective party shoes and celebrate
your success. Going public with success spreads knowledge and learning
across your organisation, and let’s face it, we all like a
little recognition now and again.

The
8d problem solving process is used by big businesses such as National
Semiconductor, Shell and Toyota. The key is focusing on facts and
not opinion, being disciplined enough to follow the process and
remembering that a good team are worth more than the sum of the
individuals. Do that, and you’ll save time, money and lift
your employees.

By
Lyndsay Swinton
Owner, Management for the Rest of Us
www.mftrou.com